Indiana does well, Missouri does better

Foot traffic at Indiana casinos was down last month but players wagered more freely, 4.5% up from last year, leading to an almost 2% increase in casino revenues. Penn National belterraGaming was right in line with overall state performance and Boyd Gaming outperformed, but Caesars Entertainment and Pinnacle Entertainment underachieved for the month. The latter’s 4.5% gain at Belterra ($9 million) was undone by a weak performance (-7%) at Ameristar East Chicago, which grossed $16.5 million. Ameristar’s difficulties didn’t redound to the benefit of Horseshoe Hammond, which dipped 2.5%, though it grossed a mammoth $32 million. Horseshoe Southern Indiana ($20 million) was also down a bit, -2%.

French Lick Resort had the biggest gain — 10% — on a $7 million gross, while Tropicana Evansville pulled in $10 million for a nearly 5% uptick. Boyd’s Blue Chip was up just over 2%, raking in $13 million. The lowest-grossing casino in the state was Rising Star, making $4 million (+3%), although Majestic Star II didn’t do much better, losing a percentage point as it dipped to $5 million. Majestic Star I grossed $7 million, a 9.5% gain. (Not having visited the two riverboats, I can’t comment on their relative attractions but Majestic Star I almost always seems to do better for some reason.)  Hollywood Lawrenceburg was down almost 2%, as it grossed $14 million. Lastly, the two racinos had a good month, with Indiana Downs taking in $22 million, an almost 10% surge, while Hoosier Park did almost as well, grossing $17 million for a 5% gain.

* A bonanza 20% increase in table game revenue helped spur Missouri to a 4% gaming-revenue increase last month. Caesars was the dominant player in the Ameristar St. CharlesKansas City market, grossing $14.5 million at Harrah’s North Kansas City, an 11% swell. Argosy Riverside followed with $12.5 million, a 6% gain. Isle of Capri Kansas City ($6 million) was flat while Ameristar Kansas City ($16 million) lost a percentage point. In the St. Louis market, Pinnacle continued to be tops, grossing $22 million at Ameristar St. Charles (+4%) and $18 million (+5%) at River City. After several months of gains, Tropicana Entertainment suffered a setback at Lumiere Place, down 8% ($11 million). Penn had a good month, grossing $19 million for a 9% ascent at Hollywood St. Louis … Caesars’ decision to abdicate the St. Louis area to Penn remains one of that company’s more inexplicable decisions.

Golden Entertainment Affinity Gaming ($6 million, minus 6%) had an adverse month at Mark Twain Casino, but Isle of Capri Casinos‘ outlying properties all performed well. Isle Cape Girardeau was up 10% ($6 million), Isle Boonsville rose 8% ($7 million) and Lady Luck in Caruthersville grossed a modest $3 million that was still good for a 6% increase.

* If you couldn’t come to Las Vegas for an Elvis Presley-themed wedding, you could experience it vicariously by clicking on TMZ, and watching actor Shia LaBoeuf and new bride Mia Goth plight their troth before an Elvis impersonator. The unnamed minister/Presley impressionist recited such vows as “Mia, Shia, do you both agree to be each other’s hound dogs? Not to wear your blue suede shoes in the rain, to always be each other’s teddy bear and to give each other a hunk, a hunk of burning love?” Only in Vegas.

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